Breaking
Top Investing Channel
Author

admin

Browsing

CSE, NSX Team Up to Boost Australia’s Venture Market

Anna Serin of the Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE) and Eduardo Carmona of the National Stock Exchange of Australia (NSX) discuss the CSE’s recent acquisition of the NSX, outlining what it means for both companies and investors.

‘What we’re hoping to create, and where we think the opportunity lies in Australia, is creating the venture market a little bit like the CSE’s done (in Canada),’ Carmona explained.

Securities Disclosure: I, Charlotte McLeod, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

5 Biggest AI ETFs for Investors in 2026

For investors who want to gain exposure to artificial intelligence stocks, exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are a popular avenue, because AI ETFs allow investors exposure to the overall market rather than individual AI stocks.

AI investing has exploded in popularity in recent years, particularly with the proliferation and advancement of generative AI technology. Today, many of the world’s largest tech stocks are focused on increasing their AI capabilities, or developing and supplying the hardware and technology needed to support the industry.

However, the sector has a long history. The phrase ‘artificial intelligence’ has been around since 1955, when it was used to describe a new computer science subdiscipline. Today, we use AI to describe simulated intelligence in machines. In other words, machines with AI are capable of simulating thinking like people and mimicking their actions.

As applications for AI rapidly expand, it’s clear that this market isn’t going away anytime soon.

1. Global X Artificial Intelligence & Technology ETF (NASDAQ:AIQ)

Assets under management: US$7.97 billion

The Global X Artificial Intelligence & Technology ETF is passively managed, tracking the Indxx Artificial Intelligence & Big Data Index. The Global X fund, which was established in May 2018, has an expense ratio of 0.68 percent.

‘AIQ is passively managed to invest in developed market companies that are involved in the use of artificial intelligence to analyze big data, whether for their own operations, as a service to other companies, or through the production of related hardware,’ according to ETF.com.

The Global X Artificial Intelligence & Technology ETF’s 87 holdings include Samsung Electronics (KRX:005930), Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOGL) and Micron Technology (NASDAQ:MU).

2. Defiance Quantum ETF (NASDAQ:QTUM)

Assets under management: US$3.67 billion

The Defiance Quantum ETF launched in September 2018. It tracks an index composed of 84 companies that derive at least half of their annual revenues from quantum computing and machine learning technology development activities.

The fund has the lowest expense ratio of the five AI funds on this list at 0.4 percent.

Some of the ETF’s top holdings include Quantum Emotion (TSX:QNC), Micron Technology and MKS (NASDAQ:MKSI).

3. Dan IVES Wedbush AI Revolution ETF (ARCA:IVES)

Assets under management: US$1.04 billion

The newest addition to this list, the Dan Ives Wedbush AI Revolution ETF launched on June 4, 2025, as Wedbush Fund’s inaugural ETF. The ETF’s holdings are based on the research of Dan Ives, Wedbush’s Global Head of Technology Research, and on the IVES AI 30 list, which is updated on a quarterly basis. It has an expense ratio of 0.75 percent.

The Dan Ives Wedbush AI Revolution ETF has 32 holdings comprising mostly large-cap tech stocks based in North America. Its top holdings include Micron Technology, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (NYSE:TSM) and NVIDIA (NASDAQ:NVDA).

4. Roundhill Generative AI & Technology ETF (ARCA:CHAT)

Assets under management: US$1.036 billion

The Roundhill Generative AI & Technology ETF launched on May 13, 2023, and focuses on companies that will benefit from the growth of generative AI. Companies must derive 50 percent of their revenue from generative AI or tech to qualify for its portfolio.

This AI ETF is actively managed and does not track an index. It has an expense ratio of 0.75 percent.

The ETF has 49 holdings, with 98 percent being large-cap companies. Its top holdings include Alphabet, NVIDIA and Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT), and it offers exposure to North American and Asian tech firms.

5. Invesco AI and Next Gen Software ETF (ARCA:IGPT)

Assets under management: US$715.8 million

The last AI ETF on this list is the Invesco AI and Next Gen Software ETF. It is the longest running compared to the other ETFs on this list, having launched in June 2005. The fund has an expense ratio of 0.58 percent.

It is based on the STOXX World AC NexGen Software Development Index and tracks the performance of companies that derive a direct revenue from technologies or products that contribute to future software development.

The Invesco AI and Next Gen Software ETF’s 100 holdings include Micron Technology, Meta Platforms (NASDAQ:META) and Advanced Micro Devices (NASDAQ:AMD).

Securities Disclosure: I, Lauren Kelly, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

Trump administration alleges Nike discriminated against white workers

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission said Wednesday that it is investigating Nike for allegedly discriminating against white workers.

The agency that polices discrimination in the workplace filed an action in federal court in Missouri to compel the publicly traded athletic shoe and apparel giant to produce information in response to a subpoena the agency served on the company last fall, according to court filings reviewed by NBC News.

The EEOC said it was investigating allegations that the company’s mentorship and training programs and its personnel decisions gave nonwhite employees preferential treatment that amounts, according to the agency, to discrimination against white workers.

Nike is the world’s largest sportswear and apparel company, with nearly 80,000 employees and revenues of around $51.4 billion in 2024.

The allegations were not made by workers at Nike who believed they had been the targets of unfair treatment, however, as is typically the case in EEOC investigations.

Instead, the court filings show that this case stems from a commissioner’s charge brought by then-commissioner Andrea Lucas herself in May 2024, and based on publicly available information such as Nike’s own annual “Impact Reports” and information on its public website.

The EEOC’s request that a judge enforce the subpoena is the latest instance of the Trump administration using a federal agency that is typically charged with preventing and responding to discrimination against nonwhite Americans, and deploying it instead to protect what it says are the underrepresented interests of white people.

Nike has objected in court to many of the EEOC’s demands to documents over the last several months, arguing that they are vague, overly broad, and seek information dating back to well before the period in question.

“This feels like a surprising and unusual escalation,” a Nike spokesperson said. “We have had extensive, good-faith participation in an EEOC inquiry into our personnel practices, programs, and decisions and have had ongoing efforts to provide information and engage constructively with the agency.”

The spokesperson added that Nike has shared “thousands of pages of information and detailed written responses” in connection with the agency’s inquiry and said the company is in the “process of providing additional information.” Nike will respond to the agency’s petition, the spokesperson said.

Lucas was appointed chair of the EEOC by President Donald Trump in November 2025 after serving as a commissioner since 2020, when the president nominated Lucas to the agency.

The agency said it filed the subpoena enforcement action after “first attempting to obtain voluntary compliance with its investigative requests.”

This post appeared first on NBC NEWS

S&P 500 Breaking Out Again: What This Means for Your Portfolio

The S&P 500 ($SPX) just logged its fifth straight trading box breakout, which means that, of the five trading ranges the index has experienced since the April lows, all have been resolved to the upside.

How much longer can this last? That’s been the biggest question since the massive April 9 rally. Instead of assuming the market is due to roll over, it’s been more productive to track price action and watch for potential changes along the way. So far, drawdowns have been minimal, and breakouts keep occurring. Nothing in the price action hints at a lasting change — yet.

While some are calling this rally “historic,” we have a recent precedent. Recall that from late 2023 through early 2024, the index had a strong start and gave way to a consistent, steady trend.

From late October 2023 through March 2024, the S&P 500 logged seven consecutive trading box breakouts. That streak finally paused with a pullback from late March to early April, which, as we now know, was only a temporary hiccup. Once the bid returned, the S&P 500 went right back to carving new boxes and climbing higher.

New 52-Week Highs Finally Picking Up

If there’s been one gripe about this rally, it’s that the number of new highs within the index has lagged. As we’ve discussed before, among all the internal breadth indicators available, new highs almost always lag — that’s normal. What we really want to see is whether the number of new highs begins to exceed prior peaks as the market continues to rise, which it has, as shown by the blue line in the chart below.

As of Wednesday’s close, 100 S&P 500 stocks were either at new 52-week highs or within 3% of them. That’s a strong base. We expect this number to continue rising as the market climbs, especially if positive earnings reactions persist across sectors.

Even when we get that first day with 100+ S&P 500 stocks making new 52-week highs, though, it might not be the best time to initiate new longs.

The above chart shows that much needs to align for that many stocks to peak in unison, which has historically led to at least a short-term consolidation, if not deeper pullbacks — as highlighted in yellow. Every time is different, of course, but this is something to keep an eye on in the coming weeks.

Trend Check: GoNoGo Still “Go”

The GoNoGo Trend remains in bullish mode, with the recent countertrend signals having yet to trigger a greater pullback.

Active Bullish Patterns

We still have two live bullish upside targets of 6,555 and 6,745, which could be with us for a while going forward. For the S&P 500 to get there, it will need to form new, smaller versions of the trading boxes.

Failed Bearish Patterns

In the chart below, you can view a rising wedge pattern on the recent price action, the third since April. The prior two wedges broke down briefly and did not lead to a major downturn. The largest pullbacks in each case occurred after the S&P 500 dipped below the lower trendline of the pattern.

The deepest drawdown so far is 3.5%, which is not exactly a game-changer. Without downside follow-through, a classic bearish pattern simply can’t be formed, let alone be broken down from.

We’ll continue to monitor these formations as they develop because, at some point, that will change.

Crypto Market Update: Bitcoin Price Slide Drives Half-Trillion Crypto Wipeout

Here’s a quick recap of the crypto landscape for Wednesday (February 4) as of 9:00 p.m. UTC.

Get the latest insights on Bitcoin, Ether and altcoins, along with a round-up of key cryptocurrency market news.

Bitcoin and Ether price update

Bitcoin (BTC) was priced at US$73,420.53, down by 3.9 percent over 24 hours.

Bitcoin price performance, February 4, 2026.

Chart via TradingView.

Expectations of tighter monetary policy and unresolved regulatory tensions are also weighing on investors.

Meanwhile, XS.com’s Samer Hasn is observing positive sentiment marked by long-term investors and new Bitcoin addresses accumulating at current low prices, despite speculative money leaving. He views the downtrend as a buying opportunity while the broader market anticipates crucial economic data and earnings from Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOGL).

Ether (ETH) was priced at US$2,164.80, down by 5.7 percent over the last 24 hours.

Altcoin price update

  • XRP (XRP) was priced at US$1.54, down by 4.7 over 24 hours.
  • Solana (SOL) was trading at US$93.04, down by 7.7 percent over 24 hours.

Today’s crypto news to know

Bitcoin-led selloff wipes nearly US$500 billion from crypto market

A sharp crypto selloff has erased nearly half a trillion dollars in market value in less than a week, with Bitcoin leading the decline, according to a Bloomberg report.

The total market cap for crypto has fallen by about US$467.6 billion since January 29.

Meanwhile, Bitcoin slid to its lowest level since US President Donald Trump’s re-election in early November 2024, briefly touching US$72,877 in US trading before clawing back to around US$75,900.

The pullback comes despite a more crypto-friendly White House and growing institutional adoption, reflecting how fragile sentiment remains after months of heavy leverage.

More than US$700 million in bullish and bearish bets were liquidated in the past 24 hours alone, taking total liquidations since January 29 to over US$6.6 billion, according to CoinGlass data.

Burry warns Bitcoin slide could trigger cascading financial stress

In a Substack post published on Monday (February 2), Michael Burry speculated that Bitcoin’s recent sharp decline could be something beyond a normal bear market, framing it as a uniquely dangerous setup that could trigger cascading financial turmoil across leveraged portfolios, as well as the entire crypto market and metals.

As Bitcoin is deeply embedded into leveraged structures, further price drops could force more selling. He outlined several ‘sickening scenarios,’ including 15 to 20 percent hits for large institutional holders like Strategy (NASDAQ:MSTR), a company he predicts could see major losses if Bitcoin were to fall to US$60,000.

If the cryptocurrency were to dip toward US$50,000, Burry said miners could dump reserves to avoid bankruptcy, dragging minerals and tokenized metal futures into a collapse. Burry sees Bitcoin as a purely speculative asset that has failed to act as a reliable debasement hedge like gold, so its drawdown exposes broader balance sheet fragility driven not just by price moves, but also by over‑levered positions, aggressive artificial intelligence and cloud CAPEX accounting and weak capital discipline that will only become apparent when liquidity tightens.

Strategy’s Bitcoin bet goes underwater

Michael Saylor doubled down on his Bitcoin conviction this week even as Strategy’s vast holdings slipped below their average purchase price. Bitcoin’s drop under roughly US$76,000 has pushed the firm’s estimated cost basis into negative territory, leaving it about US$630 million underwater on paper, according to market estimates cited by critics.

The company has accumulated more than 712,000 BTC since 2020 using a mix of share issuance and convertible debt, a strategy that paid off during the bull market, but now faces renewed scrutiny.

Bitcoin critics, including Peter Schiff, argue that Strategy’s aggressive buying helped fuel the earlier rally and that slowing purchases are now exacerbating the decline. Saylor has rejected that view, posting on X that volatility is “Satoshi’s gift to the faithful” and reiterating his rule to “Buy Bitcoin.”

TRM Labs hits US$1 billion valuation

Blockchain intelligence firm TRM Labs has reached a US$1 billion valuation after closing a US$70 million Series C funding round that was led by Blockchain Capital and included backing from Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS), Bessemer Venture Partners, Brevan Howard, Thoma Bravo and Citi Ventures.

Co-founder Esteban Castaño said the company was built around the belief that widespread crypto adoption would inevitably require sophisticated risk and compliance tools.

TRM gained traction with law enforcement agencies and financial institutions by tracking activity across multiple blockchains, an early strategic choice that helped it compete with more established rivals.

Bessent reasserts government Bitcoin stance

During testimony before the House Financial Services Committee during a mandatory oversight hearing on the annual report of the Financial Stability Oversight Council, US Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent reasserted his stance that Bitcoin is an asset of the US government, not a liability, and that the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve built from forfeited coins is a legitimate balance sheet asset that the treasury is treating as part of the nation’s financial toolkit.

Bessent noted that roughly US$500 million in seized Bitcoin retained by the government has appreciated to over US$15 billion while in custody, underscoring Bitcoin’s role as a high‑growth strategic asset on the federal balance sheet.

He reiterated that the US is not planning to buy more Bitcoin on the open market, but will continue to accumulate it in budget‑neutral ways to build the reserve, such as through forfeitures and seizures.

Securities Disclosure: I, Meagen Seatter, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

Securities Disclosure: I, Giann Liguid, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

Syntholene Energy Corp Strengthens Advisory Board with Former COO of Icelandair Jens Thordarson

Mr. Thordarson brings two decades of expertise in operations, infrastructure development, and large-scale business transformation in the aviation industry

Syntholene Energy Corp. (TSXV: ESAF,OTC:SYNTF) (OTCQB: SYNTF) (FSE: 3DD0) (‘Syntholene’ or the ‘Company’) announces the nomination of Jens Thordarson, former Chief Operating Officer of Icelandair, to its Advisory Board. With nearly two decades of leadership experience in the aviation industry, Mr. Thordarson brings expertise in operations, infrastructure development, and large-scale business transformation, critical elements as Syntholene advances its synthetic fuel solutions for global transportation and logistics.

Mr. Thordarson held multiple executive roles at Icelandair over his 17-year tenure, including Chief Operating Officer and Vice President of Technical Operations. In these roles, he spearheaded large-scale operational improvements, optimized fleet management, and integrated advanced technologies to enhance efficiency and sustainability in one of the world’s most demanding industries. Currently, he serves as CEO of GeoSalmo, a company focused on sustainable aquaculture, further reinforcing his commitment to innovative and environmentally responsible industries. Mr. Thordarson also serves as the Honorary Consul of Ireland in Iceland, encouraging tourism, trade, and foreign affairs between the two nations.

‘Jens’ leadership in aviation and operations, combined with his strategic network in the nation of Iceland, makes him an ideal contributor to Syntholene’s Advisory Board,’ said Dan Sutton, Chief Executive Officer of Syntholene Energy Corp. ‘As we work to bring sustainable synthetic fuels to Icelandic and European markets, his insights into politics, regulatory landscape, and infrastructure readiness will be instrumental in driving our commercialization strategy.’

Syntholene Energy Corp. is at the forefront of developing sustainable synthetic fuels designed to seamlessly integrate with existing energy infrastructure while significantly reducing carbon emissions. The nomination of Mr. Thordarson reinforces the Company’s commitment to drawing expertise from industries where fuel efficiency, innovation, and operational scale are paramount.

‘I am excited to join Syntholene’s Advisory Board and contribute my experience in aviation, operations, and strategic growth,’ said Mr. Thordarson. ‘The transition to sustainable fuels is essential for industries like aviation, and Syntholene’s technology represents a major step forward, taking a fundamentally different and more disciplined approach to the challenge. I look forward to working with the team as they move toward scale.’

About Syntholene

Syntholene is actively commercializing its novel Hybrid Thermal Production System for low-cost clean fuel synthesis. The target output is ultrapure synthetic jet fuel, manufactured at 70% lower cost than the nearest competing technology today. The company’s mission is to deliver the world’s first truly high-performance, low-cost, and carbon-neutral synthetic fuel at an industrial scale, unlocking the potential to produce clean synthetic fuel at lower cost than fossil fuels, for the first time.

Syntholene’s power-to-liquid strategy harnesses thermal energy to power proprietary integrations of hydrogen production and fuel synthesis. Syntholene has secured 20MW of dedicated energy to support the Company’s upcoming demonstration facility and commercial scale-up.

Founded by experienced operators across advanced energy infrastructure, nuclear technology, low-emissions steel refining, process engineering, and capital markets, Syntholene aims to be the first team to deliver a scalable modular production platform for cost-competitive synthetic fuel, thus accelerating the commercialization of carbon-neutral eFuels across global markets.

For further information, please contact:
Dan Sutton, CEO
comms@syntholene.com
www.syntholene.com

Investor Relations
KIN Communications Inc.
604-684-6730
ESAF@kincommunications.com

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. The use of any of the words ‘expect’, ‘anticipate’, ‘aims’, ‘continue’, ‘estimate’, ‘objective’, ‘may’, ‘will’, ‘project’, ‘should’, ‘believe’, ‘plans’, ‘intends’ and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking information or statements. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, including but not limited to statements regarding the completion of the definitive agreement, successful implementation of the test facility, commercial scalability, technical and economic viability, anticipated geothermal power availability, anticipated benefit of eFuel, and future commercial opportunities, are forward-looking statements.

The forward-looking statements and information are based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by the Company, including without limitation the assumption that the Company will be able to execute its business plan, that the eFuel will have its expected benefits, that there will be market adoption, and that the Company will be able to access financing as needed to fund its business plan. Although the Company believes that the expectations and assumptions on which such forward-looking statements and information are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements and information because the Company can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Since forward-looking statements and information address future events and conditions, by their very nature, they involve inherent risks and uncertainties.

Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors and risks, including, without limitation, Syntholene’s ability to meet production targets, realize projected economic benefits, overcome technical challenges, secure financing, maintain regulatory compliance, manage geopolitical risks, and successfully negotiate definitive terms. Syntholene does not undertake any obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable securities laws.

Readers are advised to exercise caution and not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/282796

News Provided by TMX Newsfile via QuoteMedia

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

The architect of Amazon’s supply chain on running a startup with your spouse

For at least two decades, former Amazon executive Dave Clark ended his work week the same way: a standing Friday date night with his wife, Leigh Anne.

Over dinner, the Clarks would talk through the “peak and pit” of their weeks. The ritual often revolved around Amazon, where Clark played a central role in building the logistics infrastructure that helped launch the e-commerce era.

During those years, Leigh Anne was a sounding board for her husband. In the process, she had a front-row seat to Amazon’s growth from what she called “a baby to a behemoth.”

By the time Clark left Amazon in 2022, he was CEO of the Worldwide Consumer division and one of billionaire founder Jeff Bezos’ top lieutenants.

Dave Clark at Auger headquarters Monday.David Jaewon Oh for NBC News

But these days, Fridays for the Clarks look very different.

Their dinner date has morphed into afternoon cocktails — a bourbon with Diet Coke for her and a Manhattan for him. And the conversation isn’t focused on Amazon anymore. It’s about Auger, the supply-chain startup they run together.

In their first joint interview from Auger’s Seattle office, the Clarks described how their marriage and complementary skill sets are shaping the company.

“We’ve been together for so long that we kind of just read each other’s minds,” Leigh Anne said. Working together, she said, “felt like a natural fit.”

This post appeared first on NBC NEWS

S&P 500 Breaking Out Again: What This Means for Your Portfolio

The S&P 500 ($SPX) just logged its fifth straight trading box breakout, which means that, of the five trading ranges the index has experienced since the April lows, all have been resolved to the upside.

How much longer can this last? That’s been the biggest question since the massive April 9 rally. Instead of assuming the market is due to roll over, it’s been more productive to track price action and watch for potential changes along the way. So far, drawdowns have been minimal, and breakouts keep occurring. Nothing in the price action hints at a lasting change — yet.

While some are calling this rally “historic,” we have a recent precedent. Recall that from late 2023 through early 2024, the index had a strong start and gave way to a consistent, steady trend.

From late October 2023 through March 2024, the S&P 500 logged seven consecutive trading box breakouts. That streak finally paused with a pullback from late March to early April, which, as we now know, was only a temporary hiccup. Once the bid returned, the S&P 500 went right back to carving new boxes and climbing higher.

New 52-Week Highs Finally Picking Up

If there’s been one gripe about this rally, it’s that the number of new highs within the index has lagged. As we’ve discussed before, among all the internal breadth indicators available, new highs almost always lag — that’s normal. What we really want to see is whether the number of new highs begins to exceed prior peaks as the market continues to rise, which it has, as shown by the blue line in the chart below.

As of Wednesday’s close, 100 S&P 500 stocks were either at new 52-week highs or within 3% of them. That’s a strong base. We expect this number to continue rising as the market climbs, especially if positive earnings reactions persist across sectors.

Even when we get that first day with 100+ S&P 500 stocks making new 52-week highs, though, it might not be the best time to initiate new longs.

The above chart shows that much needs to align for that many stocks to peak in unison, which has historically led to at least a short-term consolidation, if not deeper pullbacks — as highlighted in yellow. Every time is different, of course, but this is something to keep an eye on in the coming weeks.

Trend Check: GoNoGo Still “Go”

The GoNoGo Trend remains in bullish mode, with the recent countertrend signals having yet to trigger a greater pullback.

Active Bullish Patterns

We still have two live bullish upside targets of 6,555 and 6,745, which could be with us for a while going forward. For the S&P 500 to get there, it will need to form new, smaller versions of the trading boxes.

Failed Bearish Patterns

In the chart below, you can view a rising wedge pattern on the recent price action, the third since April. The prior two wedges broke down briefly and did not lead to a major downturn. The largest pullbacks in each case occurred after the S&P 500 dipped below the lower trendline of the pattern.

The deepest drawdown so far is 3.5%, which is not exactly a game-changer. Without downside follow-through, a classic bearish pattern simply can’t be formed, let alone be broken down from.

We’ll continue to monitor these formations as they develop because, at some point, that will change.

Torrent Capital

Overview

Torrent Capital (TSXV:TORR) is a publicly traded investment company providing exposure to an actively managed growth portfolio of public and private investments.

Torrent Capital provides investors with access to a broad, actively managed portfolio that combines long-term core holdings with income-generating strategies. Covering public equities, private ventures, and royalty investments, the platform is structured to deliver compounded NAV growth. Over the past year, Torrent Capital’s NAV rose from approximately $0.80 to $0.85 per share, outperforming the S&P 500 (12.98 percent) and the TSX Small Cap Index (7.96 percent), highlighting the resilience and effectiveness of its active management approach.

Portfolio Overview

Public Equities

Torrent’s core public equity holdings include the following:

Kneat (TSX:KSI) – A leader in SaaS solutions for digitising validation and quality processes in regulated industries, including life sciences. Torrent invested early, recognising Kneat’s scalable platform and its potential to transform compliance-heavy sectors globally.

Lemonade (NYSE:LMND) – An insurance technology company that leverages artificial intelligence to automate operations such as claims processing and policy issuance, disrupting the $2 trillion global insurance market.

SentinelOne (NYSE:S) – A global leader in AI-powered cybersecurity. Torrent invested in SentinelOne for its ability to disrupt traditional security solutions and scale rapidly as enterprises adopt automated threat detection and response.

Fortune Bay (TSXV:FOR) – A Canadian gold exploration company with promising assets in Saskatchewan and Mexico. Torrent’s investment reflects our belief in gold’s enduring role as a hedge against market volatility, coupled with Fortune Bay’s potential to unlock significant resource value through exploration success.

Sona Nanotech (CSE:SONA) – Innovator in nanotechnology with applications across healthcare and diagnostics. Torrent’s investment thesis is based on the potential for Sona’s unique gold nanorods to deliver breakthroughs in medical technology, particularly in diagnostics and cancer treatment.

ReeXploration (TSXV:REE) – A rare earth exploration company focused on the Eureka Project in Namibia. Torrent invested in ReeXploration for its strategic exposure to critical minerals essential to clean energy and advanced technologies.

Private Ventures

Torrent selectively invests in early-stage private ventures with high growth potential.

Holding:

OARO Technologies – A cybersecurity and digital identity company delivering advanced blockchain-powered authentication, digital ticketing, and secure credential solutions. Torrent invested in OARO for its ability to meet the growing global demand for secure, scalable identity management, positioning the company at the intersection of cybersecurity and blockchain adoption.

Royalty Investments

Torrent maintains selective exposure to royalty investments designed to generate potential long-term, recurring cash flows.

Key investment:

Argentia Capital – Argentia Capital is focused on the construction of port infrastructure, the provision of services and equity ownership in businesses that support aquaculture, renewable energy, and oil and gas sectors, as well as other port developments.

Company Highlights

  • Proven Performance Across Market Cycles: Torrent Capital’s Net Asset Value (NAV) increased from approximately $0.80 per share in 2024 to approximately $0.85 per share as of December 31, 2025, reflecting continued portfolio growth and resilience through market volatility. This performance outpaced the S&P 500 (12.98 percent) and the TSX Small Cap Index (7.96 percent) over the same period.
  • Diversified Investment Model: Combines public equities, private ventures and royalty investments to balance growth and stability through market cycles.
  • Active Management and Transparency: Torrent publishes frequent NAV updates and portfolio disclosures, providing clarity that differentiates it from other investment companies.
  • Proven Leadership: Led by CEO Wade Dawe and a team with over C$2 billion in deals completed, Torrent combines decades of entrepreneurial and capital markets experience across public and private companies.
  • Strategic focus: Targeted exposure to key growth themes—including artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and critical minerals—balancing innovation with defensive holdings to produce long-term compounding.

Management Team

Torrent’s leadership is aligned with shareholders and focused on long-term value creation.

Wade Dawe – Chief Executive Officer, Director

Wade Dawe is an Atlantic Canadian entrepreneur and skilled investor. Fiercely independent throughout the entirety of his career, he achieved early success internationally in the resource sector and went on to play a pivotal role in a number of companies as a financier and company founder.

Carl Sheppard – President & Chief Operating Officer, Director

Carl Sheppard is the current president and chief operating officer of Torrent Capital and is also the president and managing partner of Strategic Concepts, a business consulting company. For the past 30 years, he has provided consulting services to many of Canada’s leading resource companies and organizations. He has participated in numerous economic studies, strategic plans, cost/benefit reports and business plans targeted at the identification of development opportunities.

Eric Thompson – Chief Financial Officer

Eric Thompson has over ten years of accounting and assurance experience in both public practice and industry. Prior to assuming the CFO position, he served as the controller of Torrent Capital, contributing to enhanced financial reporting and treasury oversight.

Evan Dawe, CFA – Portfolio Manager – Public Equities

Evan Dawe is a Portfolio Manager at Torrent Capital, focused on identifying high-growth public equity opportunities across U.S. and Canadian markets. He brings a rigorous, fundamentals-driven approach with a strong emphasis on business quality, competitive positioning, and long-term value creation. Evan is a CFA charter holder and holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Queen’s University. Prior to Torrent Capital, he served as a Corporate Development Officer at Numus Capital, where he sourced venture capital deal flow and coordinated capital raises for early-stage companies.

Jim Megann – Director

Jim Megann is Managing Director of Numus Financial and serves as a Director of OARO Technologies. He has extensive experience in capital markets, corporate development, and strategic communications, and is the former Chair of NWest Energy.

Carl Hansen – Director

Carl Hansen is CEO of Cascada Silver Corp. and a geologist with more than 30 years of experience in exploration, mining, and public markets. He has led multiple successful exploration companies and has significant experience in corporate finance and capital formation.

Wayne Myles – Director

Wayne Myles is a legal advisor specializing in international mergers and acquisitions, corporate, and commercial law. He provides strategic legal guidance to Torrent’s management and board on governance and cross-border transaction structures.

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

Japan Advances Rare Earths Ambitions with World’s First Seabed Trial

Japan announced that it has successfully retrieved mineral-rich seabed sediment from nearly 6,000 meters below the ocean’s surface near the remote island of Minamitorishima.

Officials say the technical milestone could help reduce the country’s dependence on China.

The work was carried out by deep-sea drilling vessel Chikyu, which collected the sediment as part of a government-backed test program aimed at assessing the feasibility of mining rare-earths-bearing mud from the deep ocean.

According to Japan’s Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology, Chikyu departed last month for Minamitorishima — about 1,950 kilometers southeast of Tokyo — and arrived at the test site on January 17.

The first batch of sediment was recovered on February 1.

“It is a first step toward industrialization of domestically produced rare earth in Japan,” Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said in a statement posted on X. “We will make efforts toward achieving resilient supply chains for rare earths and other critical minerals to avoid overdependence on a particular country.”

Rare earths are essential in the high-performance magnets used in electric vehicles, wind turbines, electronics and defense systems. China currently dominates global production and processing of heavy rare earths, giving Beijing significant influence over prices and supply, a vulnerability that has increasingly worried world governments.

Japan’s latest test comes amid heightened geopolitical tension in the region.

Tokyo has grown more concerned about potential supply disruptions after China recently suspended exports of certain dual-use goods to Japan. While rare earths were not explicitly named, the move raised fears that Beijing could use its control over critical minerals as leverage as it has in the past.

Japanese researchers first identified rare-earth-rich mud deposits around Minamitorishima in the 2010s. Since then, the government has funded research, development and feasibility studies under its Strategic Innovation Promotion Program, focusing on whether those resources could support a domestic supply chain.

The current trial is designed to test not only the ability to retrieve sediment from extreme depths, but also the logistics of deep-sea mining. Officials cautioned that the work is still at an early stage. Details such as the concentration of rare earth elements in the retrieved mud and the overall recovery rates are still being analyzed. Moving toward commercial production would require demonstrating the entire process, from seabed extraction to separation and refining.

Japan plans to continue testing through mid-February. If the trials are successful, larger-scale demonstrations could follow, potentially including the construction of a dedicated processing facility on Minamitorishima later this decade.

US targets rare earths security with Project Vault

While Japan pushes deeper into rare earths supply diversification, developments in the US underscore how deeply critical minerals policies are shaping markets on both sides of the Pacific.

On Monday (February 2), the Trump administration rolled out Project Vault, a roughly US$12 billion strategic critical minerals reserve aimed at reducing US dependence on China for rare earths and other essential metals.

The initiative, anchored by a US$10 billion loan from the US Export‑Import Bank and about US$2 billion in private capital, is designed to stockpile strategic materials like rare earths, cobalt and lithium.

The program’s backers say the reserve will function much like America’s Strategic Petroleum Reserve, offering a buffer against global supply disruptions and insulating manufacturers from price shocks that have plagued markets during recent US-China trade tensions. Analysts say the effort signals an ongoing shift toward industrial policy that treats critical minerals as strategic assets, even as completion details and long‑term execution remain uncertain.

The financial markets responded quickly. Shares of Australian rare earths producer Lynas Rare Earths (ASX:LYC,OTCQX:LYSDY) rallied more than 3 percent on Tuesday (February 3), closing at AU$15.25, reflecting renewed investor interest tied to the policy news and the broader rare earth narrative.

Lynas’ recent movements come against a backdrop of broader gains in non‑Chinese mineral producers, as investors reposition around supply chain security and government policy support.

Rare earths stocks more generally saw upticks in the US market after the country’s critical minerals plan came into focus, with producers like MP Materials (NYSE:MP) and USA Rare Earth (NASDAQ:USAR) gaining on reports of increased government engagement in critical mineral sourcing.

Securities Disclosure: I, Giann Liguid, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

This post appeared first on investingnews.com